A small number of hooded and masked anti-racism protesters broke through and nearly reached screaming members of Reclaim, which included a man with Nazi tattoos taunting them with calls of "lefty scum".

The anti-Islam group attracted about 50 protesters at its 11am rally, but numbers grew just after midday when about 60 supporters of the hardline United Patriots Front joined them.

Advertisement

Police use pepper spray at the protest in Melbourne.Credit:Luis Ascui

The UPF was escorted to the rally from behind police lines and on the opposite side from the anti-racism protest groups.

"Need back up? We're here now," one of them said as they entered the secure protest zone.

The two crowds were separated 20 metres by two deep police lines, which left both sides screaming obscenities but not able to clash.

Mike Holt, head of Restore Australia, told Fairfax Media he was disappointed by the turn out of "everyday" Australians: "I can't believe how small the crowd is. It's terrible."

Mazen Adel and Sue Munroe after being pepper sprayed by police at the rally.
Credit:Deborah Gough

Later when addressing the crowd, he said the protest was against the "creeping Islamisation of Australia".

"This is a chance to tell people that there can be a different way... this is about keeping Australia, Australian," he said.

An anti-racism protester Kat Galea is cared for after being pepper sprayed. Credit:Luis Ascui

Blair Cottrell, from the UPF, told the crowd it needed "faith" and called for the Prime Minister to become involved.

"A faith can only be defeated by another faith just as strong. The faith we need now is the faith of our nation," Mr Cottrell said.

Heavy police presence at Parliament House as rival groups gather to rally.

"This is a gathering of Australian people, of Australian votes. Where is Mr Abbott?"

Controversial pastor Danny Nalliah from Catch The Fire Ministries also spoke at the rally.

Some self-described anarchists were among the counter-protesters and a few others wore bandanas and face masks.

Protesters gather in Melbourne.Credit:Chris Vedelago

Counter-protesters said some members were treated after police capsicum sprayed them.

Sue Munroe, a member of the Socialist Party, said she was attempting to hold back jostling protesters from police, but received a full blast of spray.

"We told people for months that it this would be a peaceful rally and we came here trying to help and we got hurt," Ms Monroe said.

She said Palestinian community member Mazen Adel tried to protect her, but "copped" the full brunt himself.

"These racist are like Hitler. He was allowed to go for five years and this is Hitler again. We cannot allow this," Mr Adel said.

Anti-racism protester treated after being sprayed with pepper spray.Credit:Deborah Gough

Kat Galea was treated for capsicum spray in both her eyes and ear, as well as for shock.

As 1pm approached scuffles broke out as UFP supporters attempted to break through anti-racism blockades. A loud hailer was broken in the process and anti-racism protesters brought several people seeking to join the racism rally to the ground.

Glen Anderson at a Reclaim/UPF rally in Melbourne in July 2015.

A woman wearing an Australian flag held her head as she retreated after an altercation with anti-racism protester Debra Holland. The woman attempted to break through the blockade when Ms Holland placed a sign in her path. Other anti-racism protesters then turned on the woman.

"I was just standing there and I put my arm out and she came and attacked me. I didn't attack her," Ms Holland said.

Ms Holland attempted to call off the attacks on the woman.

She earlier escorted a bride through Macarthur Street after she came to Parliament rather than Treasury by mistake.